From 800m to 175 Miles: Megan Smyth's Incredible Running Journey
In this episode of DFW Running Talk, host Chris Detzel interviews Megan Smyth, an accomplished runner who recently completed 175 miles in 42 hours at the Summit Backyard Ultra in Marble Falls.
Megan's running journey can be divided into two distinct "running lives." The first began in middle school and continued through college, where she specialized in the 800-meter event in track. After college, she took a five-year break from running before finding her way back through a social run group in 2010.
Her return to running led her to marathon training, and she completed her first marathon in Oklahoma City with an impressive time of 3:39. This sparked a deeper passion for distance running, leading her to complete multiple marathons, including four Boston Marathons. Her most recent Boston Marathon was in 2024, run as part of her 40th birthday celebration.
Megan's evolution into ultra running began around 2015 with her first 50K, followed by her first 50-miler at Rocky Raccoon in 2016. She has since completed six 100-mile races and two backyard ultras. One of her most challenging races was the Tahoe Rim 100-miler in 2023, featuring 18,000 feet of elevation gain and challenging altitude conditions.
A significant achievement came in her recent Summit Backyard Ultra victory, where she completed 175 miles over 42 hours. This was an improvement over her previous year's performance of 162.5 miles at the same event. The format required runners to complete 4.167-mile loops every hour until only one runner remained.
Throughout the interview, Megan discusses her training philosophy, which includes maintaining a mix of road and trail running, incorporating speed work, and managing weekly mileage between 60-80 miles. She balances her training with family life, including support from her running husband and managing time with their 4.5-year-old child.
Looking ahead, Megan has ambitious plans for 2025, including a 24-hour track race in February where she aims to run at least 130 miles, and she recently received an entry into the prestigious Western States 100-mile race in June.
Megan's running journey can be divided into two distinct "running lives." The first began in middle school and continued through college, where she specialized in the 800-meter event in track. After college, she took a five-year break from running before finding her way back through a social run group in 2010.
Her return to running led her to marathon training, and she completed her first marathon in Oklahoma City with an impressive time of 3:39. This sparked a deeper passion for distance running, leading her to complete multiple marathons, including four Boston Marathons. Her most recent Boston Marathon was in 2024, run as part of her 40th birthday celebration.
Megan's evolution into ultra running began around 2015 with her first 50K, followed by her first 50-miler at Rocky Raccoon in 2016. She has since completed six 100-mile races and two backyard ultras. One of her most challenging races was the Tahoe Rim 100-miler in 2023, featuring 18,000 feet of elevation gain and challenging altitude conditions.
A significant achievement came in her recent Summit Backyard Ultra victory, where she completed 175 miles over 42 hours. This was an improvement over her previous year's performance of 162.5 miles at the same event. The format required runners to complete 4.167-mile loops every hour until only one runner remained.
Throughout the interview, Megan discusses her training philosophy, which includes maintaining a mix of road and trail running, incorporating speed work, and managing weekly mileage between 60-80 miles. She balances her training with family life, including support from her running husband and managing time with their 4.5-year-old child.
Looking ahead, Megan has ambitious plans for 2025, including a 24-hour track race in February where she aims to run at least 130 miles, and she recently received an entry into the prestigious Western States 100-mile race in June.
Creators and Guests
Host
Chris Detzel
Chris Detzel is the passionate host and creator of "DFW Running Talk," the premier podcast dedicated to showcasing the vibrant running community across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Since launching the show in October 2024, Chris has established himself as a central voice in North Texas running culture, conducting in-depth conversations with elite athletes, coaches, race directors, and inspiring everyday runners who define the region's diverse running scene. As both interviewer and active participant in the DFW running community, Chris brings an authentic perspective shaped by years of personal running experience. While he describes himself as primarily a half marathon runner rather than a marathoner - citing the extensive training commitment and unpredictability of marathon race day - his deep knowledge of running culture spans the full spectrum from 5Ks to ultramarathons. His preference for half marathons stems from their balance of challenge and accessibility, allowing him to race monthly without the intensive training demands of longer distances. Chris's connection to elite running runs through his family - his wife Lea Ivy is an accomplished marathoner who has completed the Boston Marathon 12 times consecutively, achieving a personal best of 3:14 at age 45. This personal connection to high-level competition, combined with his own running journey, gives Chris unique insight into both the elite and recreational sides of the sport. He often travels to Boston to support Lea's racing and has become part of the broader running community that gathers around major events like the Boston Marathon. Through DFW Running Talk, Chris has created more than just a podcast - he's built a platform that celebrates the depth and diversity of North Texas running talent. His interviews reveal the stories behind local legends, from sub-3:00 marathoners to innovative coaches, from race directors creating memorable experiences to everyday runners achieving extraordinary personal transformations. The show has featured conversations with accomplished athletes like Shantel Cloud (sub-3:00 marathoner), Travis Dowd (Dallas Marathon winner), and Mimi Smith (Olympic Trials competitor), alongside community builders and running industry professionals. What sets Chris apart as a host is his ability to connect with guests on multiple levels - as a fellow runner who understands training cycles and race strategy, as a community member invested in the local running scene, and as a skilled interviewer who draws out both technical insights and personal stories. His approach prioritizes authentic conversation over surface-level inspiration, resulting in episodes that offer genuine value to runners of all levels. Based in the Dallas area, Chris continues to grow DFW Running Talk's reach across multiple platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube, while maintaining strong connections to local running organizations like Dallas Running Club and participating in the broader Texas running community. His work documents and celebrates a running culture that he believes is "way more badass than it has any right to be."
Guest
Megan Smyth
Megan Smyth is an accomplished ultra runner and former collegiate track athlete based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Her running career began as an 800-meter specialist in college, but after a five-year break, she found her way back to running through a local social running group in 2010. What started as a return to fitness evolved into an impressive distance running career, highlighted by four Boston Marathon finishes and multiple ultra-distance achievements. Smyth has completed six 100-mile races and is known for her exceptional endurance, most recently demonstrated by her victory at the 2024 Summit Backyard Ultra where she ran 175 miles in 42 hours. Her accomplishments include tackling challenging mountain races like the Tahoe Rim 100 and qualifying multiple times for the Boston Marathon. Her versatility as a runner spans from road marathons to trail ultras, showcasing her adaptability and strength across different terrain and distances. When not pushing her own limits in races, Smyth balances her training with family life and continues to be an active member of the DFW running community. Looking ahead to 2024, she is set to compete in a 24-hour track race and will toe the line at the prestigious Western States 100-mile Endurance Run.